title: 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 binding profiles of the serotonergic agents alpha-methylserotonin and 2-methylserotonin.
abstract: alpha-Methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (alpha-Me-5-HT; 2) and 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (2-Me-5-HT; 3) are considered to be 5-HT2-selective and 5-HT3-selective agents, respectively. These agents were synthesized and examined at serotonin (5-HT) binding sites because there is relatively little documentation as to their selectivity and because they have not been previously examined at the newly discovered 5-HT1D and 5-HT1E sites. As previously reported, 2-Me-5-HT possesses a low affinity (Ki greater than 500 nM) for 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C, and 5-HT2 sites; this agent also displays a low affinity for 5-HT1D (Ki = 1220 nM) and 5-HT1E (Ki greater than 10,000 nM) sites. However, alpha-Me-5-HT displays little selectivity for 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C, and 5-HT1D sites (Ki = 42, 85, 150, and 150 nM, respectively) and a very low affinity for 5-HT1E (Ki greater than 10,000 nM) sites. Depending upon the radioligand used to label the sites, alpha-Me-5-HT displays either a low affinity (Ki = 880 nM with [3H]ketanserin) or a high affinity (Ki = 3 nM with [3H]DOB) for 5-HT2 sites. These results suggest that alpha-Me-5-HT is not as selective as previously considered and that caution should be used when employing this agent in pharmacological studies because it may act as mixed 5-HT1/5-HT2 agonist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0581.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ismaiel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Titeler
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Glennon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; C042390:alpha-methylserotonin; D012701:Serotonin; C045918:2-methyl-5-HT